Faucet handle construction

ABSTRACT

A combination cap and lever for a single handle mixing faucet having a stem and a body member positioned about the stem. There are inlet and outlet means in the stem with the body member having a pair of water inlet openings and at least one water discharge opening. Rotation and reciprocation of the stem relative to the body member controls the volume and temperature of water flowing from the faucet. The cap with the lever is attached to the stem and a portion of the lever is engaged in a groove of the body member. There is an interlock between the lever and the cap for simultaneous rotation and reciprocation of the cap and lever.

United States Patent 11 1 Moen Nov. 20, 1973 FAUCET HANDLE CONSTRUCTION [76] Inventor: Alfred M. Moen, 25 Lakeview Dr.,

Grafton, Ohio 44044 Attorney-Howard T. Markey et al.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT PP 253389 A combination cap and lever for a single handle mix- Related s Application Data ing faucet having a stem and a body member posi- [63] confinuafiomim an of Ser No 147 327 Ma 27 tioned about the stem. There are inlet and outlet 1971 Pat No 3p726 316 y means in the stem with the body member having a pair of water inlet openings and at least one water dis- 52 U.S. c1. l37/625.17, 137/6362, 251 /235 charge and recipmcafim [51] Int Cl Fl6k 11/02 6k 31/60 stem relative to the body member controls the volume 58 Field Ot sQQi-ZH II II 137/3364 636.2 and temperature water Wing the faucet The 1 5 3 625 251/235 cap with the lever is attached to the stem and a portion of the lever is engaged in a groove of the body [56] References Cited member. There is an interlock between the lever and the cap for simultaneous rotation and reciprocation of UNITED STATES PATENTS the cap and 3,287,985 11/1966 Moen 137/625.17 X 3,554,232 1 1971 Kappel et al 137/625.17 21 Chums, 5 Drawmg Flgllres Patented .Nov. 20, 1973 3,773,079

2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov. 20, 1973 3,773,079

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FAUCET HANDLE CONSTRUCTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 147,327, filed May 27, 1971, now US. Pat. No. 3,726,316 issued Apr. 10, 1973.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in single lever faucets and in particular to means for attaching a lever and cap to the valve of a single lever faucet.

A primary purpose of the invention is a cap and lever combination which is simply constructed and reliably operable.

Another purpose is a cap and lever combination in which the lever is interlocked with the cap, the cap is attached to the stem of the faucet and the lever is engaged with the faucet sleeve.

Another purpose is a faucet construction of the type described including an improvedmeans for securing the stem and sleeve combination into a housing, with the securing means providing a foundation for attachment of the cap and lever combination.

Another purpose is a method of attaching a cap and lever to a faucet valve which is simple and foolproof.

Other purposes will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial axial section, with portions broken away for clarity, illustrating one form of lever and cap combination and the means for attaching the combination to a faucet valve,

FIG. 2 is a section along plane 22 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial axial section, similar to FIG. 1, showing a modified form of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a section along plane 4-4 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of a portion of the lever.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention relates specifically to a combination cap and lever and the means for attaching it to a faucet valve. The valve itself may take a number of difi'erent forms. For example, as shown herein, the valve is of the form shown in the above-mentioned copending application. However, other forms of valve, for example as shown in my U. S. Pat. No. Re25,920, work equally satisfactory with the particular lever and cap combination shown and described.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a spout hub is indicated at and may have a conventional spout 12 attached thereto. A port 14 opens into the spout 12 and will receive water as the valve is manipulated. Hot and cold water inlet conduits are indicated at 16 and 18 and preferably extend from the bottom of a retainer or housing 20 which supports the faucet valve. An escutcheon or cover plate 22, as is conventional, will mount upon a sink top and the entire assembly may be fastened to the sink top by means of a stud or the like 24.

Positioned within the retainer 20 is a faucet valve including a stem 26 and a sleeve or body member 28. The stern will rotate and reciprocate relative to the sleeve 28 to control the volume and temperature of water flowing from the inlet conduits l6 and 18 to the discharge port 14. The details of the valve construction itself do not form a part of the present invention and are illustrated in the above-mentioned copending application.

A nut or the like 30 is threaded onto the upper end of the retainer 20 and has an inwardly-directed flange 32 which overlies the upper end of the valve sleeve, thus joining the sleeve and the retainer. The sleeve may have a pair of outwardly-extending projections 34 which fit within mating grooves at the upper end of the retainer to properly align the retainer for insertion of the valve and stem. Seated on top of nut 30 is a cap 36 which has an outwardly-directed flange 38 overlying a portion of the spout hub 10. The cap 36, which may be made of plastic or the like, is formed on its interior to closely fit the valve sleeve 28.

The handle includes a cap 40 and a lever 42. The lever 42 has a portion 44 which fits within the cap and is illustrated in FIG. 2. A key 46 is formed in the interior surface of the cap and there is a keyway 48 formed adjacent one end of the generally semicircular portion 44 of the lever which fits within the cap. Thus, the cap and lever are joined together for simultaneous rotation through the interlock of the key 46 and the keyway 48. The cap 40 may be attached by means of a screw or the like 50 to the upper end of the stem 26. The lever 42 passes through an opening 52 in the cap 40 and the semicircular lever portion 44 is interlocked with the sleeve 28 by a groove 54. The groove 54 is formed by the lower surface 56 of a snap ring 58 positioned in a sleeve groove 60 and by an outwardly-extending shoulder 62 which is formed at' the upper end of the cap 36. Thus, the upper end of the cap 36 and snap ring 58 cooperate to define a groove and at least a portion of the handle 44 is positioned therein to control reciprocal movement of the stem relative to the sleeve.

In operation, rotation of lever 42 will rotate the cap 40 and thus the stem 26 relative to sleeve 28. Reciprocation or up and down movement of the lever 42 is effective to reciprocate or move the stem 26 in an axial direction relative to the stationary sleeve 28. As is conventional in valves of this type, reciprocation controls water volume and rotation controls water temperature.

In the construction of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the spout hub is indicated at and the spout at 72. A retainer 74 fits within the spout hub and encloses a valve sleeve 76. A

stem 78 fits within the valve sleeve or body member 76 and is rotatable and reciprocal relative thereto.

A nut 80 is threadedly engaged with the upper end of the retainer and has an inwardly-directed flange 82. A cup-shaped pivot member is indicated at 84 and may be formed in two identical halves. The pivot member may seat upon the upper end of the valve sleeve and has outwardly-extending flanges 86 which fit between the lower surface of the inwardly-directed flange 82 and the upper end of the retainer 74. Thus, the pivot or cup 84 seats on top of the sleeve and cooperates with the nut 80 in holding the sleeve within the retainer. FIG. 4 shows the two halves of the pivot 84, the outwardlyextending flanges 86 and the cooperating interior recesses 87 in the top of the retainer.

A cap is indicated generally at 88 and a lever is indicated at 90. The cap may be attached by a screw or the like 92 to the upper end of the stem 78. The lever has a ball-like portion 94 which is positioned within an opening 96 in the cap 88. An annular or circular portion 98 of the lever 90 fits inside of the cap 88 and has an inwardly-directed portion 100 positioned within a groove 102 in the exterior surface of the pivot 84-. Thus, the lever is engaged with the pivot or cup-shaped member 84 so such that reciprocation of the lever is effective to move the stem relative to the sleeve.

The cap 88 is preferably formed in two parts, an upper section 104 and a lower section 106. The upper section has a downwardly-directed interior key 108 which interlocks with a keyway 110 on the lever portion 98 within the cap to hold the cap and lever together for simultaneous rotation. The key 108 extends downwardly into a mating groove 112 on the interior surface of the lower cap section 106 so as to interlock the two cap sections. The lower cap section 106 has an upwardly-directed cup-shaped portion 114 which fits about a downwardly-directed portion 116 of the upper cap section 104. The cup-shaped portion 114 also fits within the pivot 84 and about the upper end of the stem 78. The two cap sections are interlocked together by the cup-shaped portion 1 14 and the downwardlydirected portion 116, as well as by the key 108 and the groove 1 12.

As was true in that form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sleeve is held within the retainer by a nut, indicated at 80, which facilitates removal of the valve from within the retainer for replacement. The cap is quickly and easily assembled, being made in two parts, with the parts interlocking together. First, the lower cap section 106 is positioned in pivot member 84. Mating flatted areas 79 on stem 78 and 81 on the cup-shaped portion 114 prevent misalignment. Next, the lever 90 is positioned so that portion 100 is within groove 102. The cutaway portion 115 of the cap portion 114 prevents any possibility of an incorrect positioning of the lever and cap as does the ball-like portion 94 of the lever and opening 96 in the cap. Last, the upper cap section 104 is positioned on top of cap section 106. Key 108 and groove 112 provide for the proper relationship between the two cap sections. The above-described interrelationship of the two cap sections and the lever insures that the cap and lever can only be assembled on the faucet in the proper manner.

Various parts of the construction may be formed of plastic, for example, the cap, cup-shaped member or pivot, may all be suitably formed of a non-metallic material. Preferably the lever will be formed of a metal for strength.

Whereas, the lever has been shown as engaged with the body member or an extension of it, in some applications it may be attached to the housing. What is important is that it be engaged with a fixed member.

Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there may be many modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto.

I claim:

1. in a single handle mixing faucet, a stem, inlet and outlet means in said stern, a body member having a pair of water inlet openings and at least one water discharge opening, said stem being rotatable and reciprocal relative to said body member to control the volume and temperature of water flowing from said inlet openings to the discharge opening,

a handle, including a cap attached to the stem, and

a lever engaged with the body member, an opening in said cap, a portion of said lever extending through said opening and being positioned in said cap, an interlock between said lever portion and the inside of the cap at a point spaced from said opening for simultaneous rotation and reciprocation of said cap and lever.

2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a key on an interior surface of said cap, and a keyway on a portion of said lever for interlocking the lever and cap.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the portion of said lever within said cap is generally semicircular in configuration, with said keyway being generally adjacent to one end of said semicircular portion.

4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the portion of said lever within said cap extends circumferentially about the interior of said cap.

5. The structure of claim 4 further characterized in that said lever includes a portion extending outwardly through an opening in the cap, with said keyway being generally diammetrically opposed to said cap opening.

6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an annular member positioned about said body member, a groove in an upper portion of said body member, and a ring positioned in said groove, said lever having a portion positioned between said ring and a portion of said annular member to engage the lever with the body member.

7. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by a groove in an upper portion of said annular member, a portion of said lever being positioned in said groove, with the lower portion of said ring forming the upper bearing surface for said lever portion.

8. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a housing positioned about said body member, a nut threadedly attached to the exterior of the housing and overlying a portion of the body member to hold the body member within the housing, and an annular member positioned about said body member, with said lever having a portion positioned between a portion of said annular member and a portion of said body member for engaging the lever with the body member.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said annular member has an outwardly-extending flange which seats upon said nut.

10. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a housing, with said body member being positioned within said housing, means for attaching the body member to the housing including a nut threadedly engaged with the housing and having portions thereof positioned to hold the body member within the housmg.

11. The structure of claim 10 further characterized by and including an annular member seated on top of said body member with a portion of said annular member being engaged with said lever.

12. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that said annular member has an outwardly extending flange which cooperates with the nut to hold the body member within the housing.

13. The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that said annular member has a circumferentially extending groove, with a portion of said lever being positioned within said groove.

14. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said cap is formed of upper and lower sections, the

means for interlocking the lever and cap including a key on the interior surface of the upper cap section.

15. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that said key extends into an interlocking relationship with the lower cap section.

16. The structure of claim 15 further characterized in that a cup-shaped portion of said upper cap section is positioned about the stem.

17. A handle for use in a single lever mixing faucet having a stem reciprocal and rotatable relative to a body member, said handle including a cap adapted to be attached to the stem, and a lever adapted to be engaged with the body member, an opening in said cap, a portion of said lever extending through said opening and being positioned in said cap, an interlock between said lever portion and the inside of the cap at a point spaced from said opening for simultaneous rotation of said cap and lever.

18. The structure of claim 17 further characterized in that said interlock includes a key on the interior of the cap and a keyway on a portion of said lever.

1!). The structure of claim 17 further characterized in that said cap has an upper section and a lower section, and cooperating means on the stem and lower cap preventing misalignment during assembly.

20. The structure of claim 19 further characterized by cooperating means on the lower cap section and lever preventing misalignment during assembly.

21. The structure of claim 20 further characterized by cooperating means on the upper and lower cap sections preventing misalignment during assembly. 

1. In a single handle mixing faucet, a stem, inlet and outlet means in said stem, a body member having a pair of water inlet openings and at least one water discharge opening, said stem being rotatable and reciprocal relative to said body member to control the volume and temperature of water flowing from said inlet openings to the discharge opening, a handle, including a cap attached to the stem, and a lever engaged with the body member, an opening in said cap, a portion of said lever extending through said opening and being positioned in said cap, an interlock between said lever portion and the inside of the cap at a point spaced from said opening for simultaneous rotation and reciprocation of said cap and lever.
 2. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a key on an interior surface of said cap, and a keyway on a portion of said lever for interlocking the lever and cap.
 3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the portion of said lever within said cap is generally semicircular in configuration, with said keyway being generally adjacent to one end of said semicircular portion.
 4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the portion of said lever within said cap extends circumferentially about the interior of said cap.
 5. The structure of claim 4 furtHer characterized in that said lever includes a portion extending outwardly through an opening in the cap, with said keyway being generally diammetrically opposed to said cap opening.
 6. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including an annular member positioned about said body member, a groove in an upper portion of said body member, and a ring positioned in said groove, said lever having a portion positioned between said ring and a portion of said annular member to engage the lever with the body member.
 7. The structure of claim 6 further characterized by a groove in an upper portion of said annular member, a portion of said lever being positioned in said groove, with the lower portion of said ring forming the upper bearing surface for said lever portion.
 8. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a housing positioned about said body member, a nut threadedly attached to the exterior of the housing and overlying a portion of the body member to hold the body member within the housing, and an annular member positioned about said body member, with said lever having a portion positioned between a portion of said annular member and a portion of said body member for engaging the lever with the body member.
 9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said annular member has an outwardly-extending flange which seats upon said nut.
 10. The structure of claim 1 further characterized by and including a housing, with said body member being positioned within said housing, means for attaching the body member to the housing including a nut threadedly engaged with the housing and having portions thereof positioned to hold the body member within the housing.
 11. The structure of claim 10 further characterized by and including an annular member seated on top of said body member with a portion of said annular member being engaged with said lever.
 12. The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that said annular member has an outwardly extending flange which cooperates with the nut to hold the body member within the housing.
 13. The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that said annular member has a circumferentially extending groove, with a portion of said lever being positioned within said groove.
 14. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that said cap is formed of upper and lower sections, the means for interlocking the lever and cap including a key on the interior surface of the upper cap section.
 15. The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that said key extends into an interlocking relationship with the lower cap section.
 16. The structure of claim 15 further characterized in that a cup-shaped portion of said upper cap section is positioned about the stem.
 17. A handle for use in a single lever mixing faucet having a stem reciprocal and rotatable relative to a body member, said handle including a cap adapted to be attached to the stem, and a lever adapted to be engaged with the body member, an opening in said cap, a portion of said lever extending through said opening and being positioned in said cap, an interlock between said lever portion and the inside of the cap at a point spaced from said opening for simultaneous rotation of said cap and lever.
 18. The structure of claim 17 further characterized in that said interlock includes a key on the interior of the cap and a keyway on a portion of said lever.
 19. The structure of claim 17 further characterized in that said cap has an upper section and a lower section, and cooperating means on the stem and lower cap preventing misalignment during assembly.
 20. The structure of claim 19 further characterized by cooperating means on the lower cap section and lever preventing misalignment during assembly.
 21. The structure of claim 20 further characterized by cooperating means on the upper and lower cap sections preventing misalignment during assembly. 